Include pets in wildfire emergency plans

The Washington state Fire Marshal’s Office is recommending that families make precautions for pets during a wildfire emergency, including assembling a pet survival kit with the following items:

• food, water and medicine(s) for five days,

• medical and veterinary records in a waterproof container,

• first-aid kit,

• pet identification,

• crate or other pet carrier,

• a current photo of the pet and the family together,

• items and toys to help reduce stress,

• special feeding, exercise or medication instructions and

• sanitary supplies.

Families should also have pet-friendly facilities or lodgings identified in their plan, as many emergency shelters cannot accept pets for public health reasons. Some options are boarding kennels, veterinary hospitals, emergency animal shelters and some hotels or motels.

If it is necessary for a family to leave their pet at home during a wildfire, they should identify a safe room and confine their animal pet to that area — never leave their pet chained outside.

Families should also place stickers on the front and back doors to notify neighbors, firefighters, police and other emergency service personnel of the number and type of animals that are in the house and where they are located. They should also provide a phone number where they or another appropriate contact can be reached, as well as the phone number of the pet’s veterinarian.

Families should also familiarize themselves with the evacuation levels for their county and check with local law enforcement regarding evacuations and returning to their home. They may not be able to retrieve their pet during certain evacuation levels.

It is also important for families to check with local health services and animal hospitals about any diseases spreading as a result of the wildfire and their suggested preventative measures.

 

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